Volkswagen unveils updated Amarok

Volkswagen is set to offer the most powerful ute in the popular four-wheel-drive class by adding a new engine to the Amarok range.

The manufacturer has announced plans to replace the ute's four-cylinder engine with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel motor that makes 165kW and 550Nm – 130Nm more than the current-generation car.

That motor looks set to be the first to arrive in a refreshed Amarok, before it will be joined by less powerful versions with 120kW and 150kW respectively.

All motors in the range meet stringent Euro6 compliance rules, unlike existing models that were caught up in the brand's emissions cheating scandal last year. The new ute is said to use 7.6L/100km of fuel in top-end automatic trim, well less than the 9.2L/100km claim of Ford's five-cylinder Ranger.

The Amarok's new V6 diesel. Photo: Supplied

VW will sell the Amarok with a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions along with rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive layouts.

The revised model features updated styling to help it claim ground in the fight against Ford's Ranger and the Toyota HiLux. A reworked interior features a new dashboard and seats, while updated safety features include post-collision braking to bring the car to a halt after a serious incident.

Volkswagen says the top-end V6 model will be sold as the Amarok Aventura in Europe, where it benefits from 20-inch wheels and bigger brakes than regular models.

The upgraded Amarok features new looks inside and out. Photo: Supplied